Thousands rev up for bike festival

THE sun shone as the roar of motorbikes engines shook away the grey morning clouds above the Brackley Festival of Motorcycling last Sunday.

Final figures had not been revealed by the time the Advertiser went to press but organisers estimate 15,000 people attended the festival and hope to double the amount raised for charity compared to last year.

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Custom Bike Show organiser Andy Stroud of Hairy Designs based in Buckingham said last year the event raised £2,500 for the Warks and Northants Air Ambulance and £1,500 for Autism Concern.

He added: “In terms of wrist band sales we were probably about 50 per cent up on last year.

“We sold considerably more tickets and considerably more trade space, so we would be hoping to double the amount raised for the charities.”

This year’s beneficiaries are the WNAA and the children’s cancer charity Clic Sargent.

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Mr Stroud thanked everyone who supported the event including the many volunteers who acted as marshals and added: “Without them the festival just would not happen.”

The festival was once again packed with thrills and spills for the whole family, including a stunt show in the High Street by Kevin Carmichael and the Tigers Children’s Motorcycle Display Team on the Magdalen College School field.

Star attractions included Moto2 World Championship rider Bradley Smith from Oxon who signed autographs outside the Crown Hotel.

Before leaving to fly to America for this weekends Indianapolis Grand Prix Mr Smith said: “What a fantastic day, I can’t believe the number of fans here and the variety of bikes is amazing.

“Thanks to the organisers for inviting me, it is so good to be at such a local event and have the time to chat with everybody.”